
After suffering their fifth top-flight defeat this season away to West Ham last Saturday, defending Capital One Cup champions Chelsea were knocked out of the tournament by Stoke City on penalties three days later.
To compound the club, and indeed Mourinho’s woes, the FA handed the Portuguese tactician and his assistant Silvino Louro a misconduct charge following the pair’s dismissals at Upton Park while both Chelsea and West Ham were charged for failing to control their players during the game.
Mourinho, though, is expected to still be present on the touchline when the Blues host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge today.
It will however be a herculean task for the Portuguese as he will come up against Jurgen Klopp’s team, who is still searching for his first league win after joining the team last month.
This game promises to be cracker and Naij.com will be bringing you live coverage of the game.
Chelsea XI: Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Mikel, Ramires; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.
Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Milner, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino.
19′ A smart-turn by Lallana with a powerful shot…., Begovic saves.
17′ Liverpool are now settled into the game. It took a while though, but the keep tossing the ball around intelligently. Chelsea are obviously concentrating more on their defence after the have conceded 19 goals this season.
15′ Liverpool looking dangerous, but Moreno lacks composure in front of goal. His shot goes far from the target.
13′ Oscar with the counter; another intelligent interception by Clyne. Good play Liverpool.
12′ Good play by Clyne on the right-flank, but his cross could not find a red shirt. Begovic takes the ball.
11′ Mikel in the thick of the action; the Nigerian repels another move by Firminho.
9′ Yet again, Lucas brings down another player, Costa this time. Referee cautions him one more time,
8′ Another chance for the blues…Terry heads ball across goal, but the assistant referee spotted Zouma in the offside position.
7′ Lucas with the foul and Chelsea with a freekick at a prime position.
6′ Great play by Azpilicueta as he intercepts the ball for another Chelsea counter. The home fans are up to their feet.
4′ GOOOOAAALLL!!! ramires heads the ball into the net as Chelsea begins with adream start. It’s a really good finish.
2′ First chance of the game comes to Firminho, but his shot sails wide the Chelsea goal.
1′ The game is under-way here at the Bridge, let’s see what the blues will come out with here. Liverpool looks ready for this epic battle.